Coquitlam is located on the ancestral, traditional, and unceded territory of the Kwikwetlem First Nation (kʷikʷəƛ̓əm). Coquitlam is a Lower Mainland suburb and one of the fastest-growing communities in the heart of Metro Vancouver. Coquitlam's housing options range from post-war bungalows to luxury homes to mixed-use retail and residential condominium towers. Coquitlam is a vibrant and growing city with strong communities, a sense of space, and ongoing development. The Evergreen Extension SkyTrain line adds to the West Coast Express passenger rail service's transit options by providing efficient transit west to Burnaby, Vancouver, and points south.

Coquitlam is served by the public School District 43, which is part of the Tri-Cities (an informal union of Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, and Coquitlam). The 4,000-student David Lam Campus at Coquitlam Centre expands on Douglas College's excellent educational services. Coquitlam is an outdoor recreation paradise surrounded by mountains to the north and home to numerous cities and regional and provincial parks. Sports facilities abound in places like Town Centre Park and the Poirier Sport & Leisure Complex. 

Mundy Park in Coquitlam is one of the region's largest city parks, and the Riverview Lands in Coquitlam is part of the Community Heritage Registry, with one of Canada's best tree collections. Coquitlam, an energetic city with active residents, is known as an events destination, hosting over 100 events each year.